Trinidad and Tobago particularly has been dealing with the issue of 'radicalism.'

December 16, 2015 15:50 IST

Although much of the threat posed by the Islamic State looms over western Europe and the United States, the Caribbean cannot be left far behind.

According to estimated figures, at least 80 nationals in Trinidad have joined the Islamic State and are fighting in Syria. Trinidad and Tobago have, particularly, been dealing with the issue of 'radicalism.'

Two of the strongest issues faced currently in the Caribbean islands are: 'Islamic State fighters returning home undetected' and 'Muslim community funding the Islamic State fighters'.

"This is not just about terrorist activities, but we are also monitoring those who may be financially funding the ISIS fighters, who may be assisting in their movements to get to and from Syria as well as, those who may want to be involved in the training of terrorist activities," Gary Griffith, Trinidad's Minister of National Security told E-International Relations on 7 October.

Any nation which develops as a great risk for harbouring extremists loses international reputation, the report further states.

In 2014, eight people, of which five were Trinidad nationals were charged with terrorism and criminal conspiracy charges in Venezuela. They were accused of carrying out 'pre-jihadi training' by the Venezuelan Attorney General, E-International Relations reported.

Presently the Caribbean faces a threat of a possible terrorist attack. The paradise Islands had an inflow of 22.5 million tourists, which employed two million people. In the event of a terror attack, the consequences to the economy could be disastrous.

Although the risk of ISIS is clearly visible, the impact of the militant group is currently limited, E-International Relations stated.

Last month, France declared a state of emergency following terror attacks in the capital city of Paris on 13 November. The state of emergency was also extended to the French territories in the Caribbean such as Martinique and Guadeloupe, E-International Relations said.